Don't let unidentified mold or fungi get the better of your plants this year. The North Dakota State University Plant Diagnostic Lab offers a convenient, affordable way to identify or diagnose plant-related problems.

Anyone can send samples to this facility for mold testing, seed health testing, plant identification and insect identification.
Crop producers are just one of the variety of people who use the services of the Plant Diagnostic Lab. Homeowners' shrubbery, trees, turf grass and interior plants also are tested.

"Working together with the Plant Diagnostic Lab has always been a pleasant experience," says Eric Eriksmoen, interim director of NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center.

"We work supportively with the State Seed Department and local county Extension to help people with their specific needs," says Kasia Kinzer, plant diagnostician.

"The researchers in the department are all on board, willing to volunteer their time, and share knowledge," says Kinzer. Teamwork is a large part of the identification process. Kinzer, along with lab technician Monty Botschner, performs the testing.

"Providing good samples allows us to produce the fastest turnover rate of results," says Kinzer. Testing samples can range from one day to three weeks. Live samples should contain as much of the specimen as possible, including roots, which will allow for the fastest results.

"It's always better too send to much than too little," says Kinzer.

Guidelines for sending samples:

Wrap the roots in damp/dry paper towels and wrap the roots in a plastic bag that is tied off at the base of the stem to prevent any soil or moisture from reaching the foliage.

Wrap dry paper towels around foliage before placing the entire sample in another plastic bag.

To prevent sample decay, moisture or condensation must not reach the foliage, so dry paper towels around the foliage is critical.

Fees range between $15 and $25 and should be sent with the samples. North Dakota residents pay $15 for a routine test and $25 for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, used for the detection of plant pathenogenic viruses. Out-of-state residents will pay a standard $25 for all testing.